News — rhythm and blues

The Neptunes provide a central link to a couple of Nashville solo artists who are recognised on the rare soul scene. Between 1958 and 1964 the group recorded a handful of 45s, including Payson, Checker, Instant and Victoria. Discographies to date are not consistently accurate due to the existence of at least two or three ‘Neptunes’ around in the early to mid-1960s, including at least one LA based outfit. In reference to the Nashville group, various on-line sources also confuse individuals who were producers, promoters and song writers as group members. The 'Nashville' Neptunes were founded in the 1950s with...

Alpha Zoe (“First Life”) Hall is an only child, originally from Gallatin in Sumner County, Tennessee, but moved to Nashville when she was five years of age. Both parents were teachers who also had a common interest in music. Her mother was an accomplished pianist and her father was the tenor in a gospel quartet. “I started to sing as soon as I could talk. My mother was a trained pianist and had a beautiful voice. We became popular in the churches as I was a curiosity, singing at such a young age”, says Alpha Zoe. “As I grew older,...

The Soul Six story is a little unorthodox for an investigation of the history behind soul recordings. This band did some time in the studio but never actually made it to vinyl. The Soul Six will be unknown to most even the most experienced rare soul collector over in the UK or Europe. These guys were popular locally, however, and if you were a Wilmington resident or were going to gigs in North Carolina and Virginia between 1966 and 1969 you may well be familiar with them.  Chuck Shipton from The Generation (who recorded their take of the O'Jays' "Hold...

The origins of this group go back to 1957 when the group The Marquees were singing around town and at sock hops, and originally included Frank Howard and older brother Bruce. Frank was school friends at Meigs High with Rufus Hunter. Rufus’ older brother Herbert was at the same school, and had already released his first record.. Herbert Hunter would be Frank’s inspiration to pursue a career in singing. An early unnamed group existed which would eventually became the Commanders, before a recording contract was secured. Members at that point all worked for the same downtown department store and included...

The Valentines The Valentines were originally formed in 1966 by James Moon, Charles Myers, Paul Granberry, Ellis Kelly and Thomas Morrow. After winning the local “Discovery Of The Year” talent competition that summer, they performed over the next couple of years with local combos King James and the Sceptres, The Charades, The Majestics, The Imperials,  and Raymond and the Soul Searchers Combo from the Donelson area. After a series of personnel changes, Moon and Myers along with new members Paul Easley and James Clemmons were signed to J.R. Enterprises. A sweet soul track “Gotta Get Yourself Together” (Sound Stage 7...